Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 25, 1993 TAG: 9305250035
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CINCINNATI LENGTH: Medium
The Cincinnati Reds manager was asleep, with no inkling of trouble, when general manager Jim Perez Bowden called Monday morning and fired him over the phone.
After 44 games, Bowden had decided to replace the popular manager with former New York Mets manager Davey Johnson, who hasn't managed or coached in the major leagues in three years. Johnson, one of seven candidates who interviewed for the managing job last October, had been kept on the payroll as a consultant.
The fifth-quickest firing of a rookie manager in major-league history stunned Perez.
"I don't think it's fair," Perez said at his apartment building, choking back tears. "Was I cheated? I don't know. But I don't think it's fair. I think I did a good job."
The Reds had returned a few hours earlier from a 1-6 West Coast trip that left them 20-24, dropped them 9 1/2 games behind San Francisco and sealed Perez's fate.
Bowden, running the team while controlling partner Marge Schott serves a one-year suspension, decided a major change was needed to make the biggest payroll in the National League - $42.8 million - live up to expectations. Perez is one of Schott's favorites, but her suspension for using racial slurs bars her from involvement.
It was the most stunning firing in Cincinnati since Sparky Anderson was let go after the 1978 season.
"How can you fire a guy after 44 games?" said Anderson, now managing the Detroit Tigers. "I've been at it 24 years. I'm not smart enough to judge a guy in 44 games."
Bowden was responsible for the two main moves that have backfired - trading for often-injured Kevin Mitchell and signing free-agent pitcher John Smiley, who is 1-6. Mitchell is batting .364, but he has missed 12 games.
Bowden also fired pitching coach Larry Rothschild and third base coach Dave Bristol. First base coach Ron Oester, a friend of Perez, resigned. Former Reds player Ray Knight and Bobby Valentine, former manager of the Texas Rangers, were appointed coaching replacements, and Jose Cardenal was promoted from outfield coach to first-base coach.
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB